Nebraska may be Bruce Springsteen’s most acclaimed album. But in political contexts it is rarely mentioned. Until now, when the state’s distinctive electoral system could, in theory, determine who will be the next president of the United States.
– The blue Omaha, it looks like a small blue dot in a red sea, says Jason Brown.
“Brilliant”
For Mr. Brown and his wife, Ruth, it all began this summer, when Kamala Harris was officially named the Democratic presidential candidate. One afternoon, Jason disappeared into the garage, was gone for a while, then came back to show Ruth his latest creation: a big blue dot on a white sign.
– And I thought it was brilliant, says Ruth Huebner-Brown.
Then they displayed the sign on the front of the house. Quite quickly, the neighbor came over and wanted a similar one. Then another neighbor came and another.
In just two months, the Brown family painted thousands of blue dots that are now visible all over Omaha. It’s all about how Nebraska distributes its five electoral votes.
Majority Democrats
Along with Maine, Nebraska does not do like other states and give one candidate all the electors, instead they are distributed among several districts. The lion’s share of the state is sparsely populated and heavily Republican, with one major exception—the state’s largest city, Omaha, where a majority in 2008 and 2020 voted Democratic.
As you know, this election is decided in seven wave master states. In the scenario where Kamala Harris only wins Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania, Omaha’s blue dot could be absolutely decisive for Harris’ path to the White House. Much to the chagrin of the Republicans.
The party has tried unsuccessfully to change Nebraska’s election system.
– There is no reason why we should have a different system than other states, says Theresa Thibodeau.
“Will do everything we can to keep blue dots away”
She runs the Republican support group Red State Nebraska and has countered the blue dots by making her own signs where all of Nebraska lights up red, as in Republican. Without blue dot.
– Nebraska is a red state and we must do everything we can to keep blue dots away, she says.
Meanwhile, the Browns continue to spray paint their garage driveway signs. Perhaps they will dry faster due to the tailwind in public opinion. Right now, Omaha’s blue dot from 2020 looks set to hold. How decisive it will be in the end remains to be seen.